Join us for this month’s free webinar on the topic of Leading Without Authority:
Tips for the “Unofficial” Leader
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[Read more…] about Leading Without Authority: Tips for the “Unofficial” Leader (Webinar)
As a proud former administrative professional, I’ve always enjoyed being a part of the admin community.
In fact, from the moment I got involved in the field, I wanted to be an admin leader. I felt called to it from day 1. I loved the work and the people, and (even as a total novice) I thought I had something valuable to offer.
So, back in 2006, I started a blog for admins called The Executive Assistant’s Toolbox, where I shared tips and tricks for success in the field. I was by no means an expert. I was simply sharing my own experiences. It was a passion project and I loved the idea that, by sharing my workplace challenges, I could help other admins.
Shockingly, that blog got really popular really fast. Before I knew it, my entire world had changed. I was no longer an anonymous admin; I was officially seen as a leader in the admin field. I was being interviewed by major news publications! My writing was being featured on some of the biggest websites in the world!
In 2008, things got really crazy. My blog was actually purchased by a start-up company (an online community for admins) and I was hired to help build it. Unfortunately, that company is no longer in business, but I spent a few years as their community spokesperson, writing professional development articles for admins and traveling the country to meet our admin community on a regular basis.
In short, I became an Admin Leader, just as I always wanted to be. I eventually started my own company providing career coaching and training—and the rest is history!
Today, I am still a true supporter of administrative professionals. Over the past 10 years, we’ve had more and more people step up to become Admin Leaders themselves—people who are currently working as admins fulltime and those who (like me) have transitioned to other fields but still remain dedicated to the admin community.
Even with all of these fantastic admin leaders, we still need more. We need people who embrace the admin role as a career of choice and want to help elevate the administrative profession. We need people who are vocal advocates for their fellow admins and understand what it takes to thrive as an administrative professional. We need people to step up and provide support to support professionals—the people who often need it most but rarely get it.
As an Admin Leader, you also stand to gain a lot personally and professionally. You will raise your visibility in the workplace and others will start to view you as not only an Admin Leader, but as a leader in general. You will discover amazing opportunities you never knew existed, and you will expand your skills in ways you never thought possible.
If you’re an admin who appreciates the role and you believe you have something to offer your fellow administrative professionals, I strongly encourage you to position yourself as an Admin Leader by engaging in some (or all) of the following activities.
[Read more…] about 7 Ways to Position Yourself as an Admin Leader
The word “leadership” is often misunderstood in the workplace. Most people think it requires a title of some sort. You’re a leader if you supervise others or if you have a few fancy letters after your name.
I don’t think leaders are defined by position or organizational hierarchy. To me, leaders are defined by their actions. Consequently, I believe that anyone in any role has the ability to be a leader. Likewise, some people who are in traditional “leadership” roles definitely are not leaders by my estimation.
Being a leader in the workplace doesn’t require any special training or knowledge, but it does require character. It takes a little added effort and a thoughtful approach. But it’s not difficult. We’re talking about small, everyday actions here—nothing extravagant.
I also believe that leadership is a skill worth honing—regardless of your professional aspirations. Whether or not you want some official title in the future, practicing leadership is rewarding in and of itself. [Read more…] about Everyday Leadership in Action (Webinar)